Impression device



Nov. 8,1960 5. DE LUCIA 2,958,960

IMPRESSION DEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1957 smvm DELUCIA .19 2 TOR/YE Y INVENTOR.

Unit

This invention relates to an article of manufacture and more particularly to an educational device in the form of a plane surface upon which impressions having three dimensions can be readily formed and unformed.

An object of the instant invention is to provide a novel educational device for the amusement of children.

Another object is to provide a novel marking device having a smooth marking surface upon which impressions of three dimensions can be readily formed and which impressions can be readily erased, restoring the marking surface to its initial smooth condition and thereby rending it readily reusable for receiving other three dimensional impressions.

Briefly this invention comprises a layer of soft, pliable material forming a smooth surface and which is supported on a stiff backing member and held in position thereon by the natural adhesive properties of the pliable material and by marginal means connected to the backing member and engaging the peripheral portions of said layer. Impressions of three dimensions are readily formed in the layer of pliable material by a stylus penetrating the soft layer and which upon the movement thereof displaces a portion of said material to form the impressions. Deletion of the marked impressions is accomplished by replacing the displaced material in a smoothing operation of the plane surface with suitable erasing means.

A feature of this invention is that the instant device is relatively simple, inexpensive to produce and positive in operation.

Another feature resides in the provision that it is amusing to children, harmless, and not readily destructible.

Other features and advantages will be readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and description thereof in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the instant device illustrating means for forming a three dimensional impression thereon and means for erasing the impressions.

Figure 2 is a section view taken along line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank used to form the backing member.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified blank adapted to form a stiff backing member.

Referring to the drawing, the device of the instant invention includes a stiff backing member formed of any suitable material, e.g. cardboard and the like, to which there is secured a layer of soft, pliable material 11, e.g. clay and the like. Clay has been found to be quite suitable and because of its natural adhesive property, the layer of clay centered on the backing member 10 as for example within the fold dash line 12 as shown in Figure 3, will naturally adhere thereto. As some of the commercial molding clays, suitable to form the layer, contain an oil constituent to render the clay soft and pliable, the stiffening member 10, formed of cardboard, can be treated, e.g. with wax or parafiin so as to prevent the absorption of the clay oils by the backing member. Thus the clay layer is maintained sufiiciently soft for a considerable period of time. To insure that the layer of atent O rQQ clay is retained in position on the backing member If the marginal flaps or edge portions 13 are reversely bent to overlie the peripheral edges of the clay surface. Suitable fasteners 14 such as staples and like secure the adjacent flaps 13 at the corners. Thus in its finished state, on view in Figure 1, the stiff backing member 10 not only forms a rigid support for the soft clay layer 11, but also frames the layer of clay giving it a wholesome appearance.

Impressions having the third dimension are readily formed in the soft and pliable layer of clay and the like by means of a suitable stylus 15 having the point thereof imbedded into the clay surface 11. Thus as the stylus is moved to create various markings or images, as for example the letter A as shown on Figure 1, the point of the stylus displaces the soft material to form a definite, clearly visible impression. In order to erase any impressions made, a suitable means, as for example an eraser 16 having a straight edge MA as shown in Figure 1, is used to smooth out the surface of the clay and in the operation thereof replaces the displaced clay portions to cover over any impressions made thereon. Thus the clay surface is readied for reuse.

Figure 4 illustrates a modified form which the stiff backing member may take. In this form the stiff member 20 comprises a back portion 21 upon which the layer of clay is adapted to be centered and a front portion 22 of substantially the same width as the back portion, the latter having a central cut out portion forming a window 23 therein. With a layer of clay centered on the back portion 21, the front flap 22 is reversely bent along the fold line 24 to overlie the layer of clay, the remaining marginal portions 25 of the front flap framing the layer of clay, suitable fasteners being utilized to secure the front and rear portions of the member 20 together.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the instant device forms a source of constant amusement for chil dren. It may also be used in the home or workshop as a bulletin board on which memos or notes can be readily secured thereto either by pins or by the natural adhesive property of the clay surface.

Although the invention herein has been described in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, as many structural details are susceptible to modification and change without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

A three dimensional impression device comprising a stiff backing member and a relatively thick layer of exposed, soft, readily pliable and displaceable opaque material secured to said backing member forming a smooth surface thereon, said surface being adapted to receive sufficiently deep impression markings directly thereon by displacement of portions of said soft material so as to be directly legible thereon and which markings can be readily deleted by moving an erasing surface over the writing surface to restore said displaced material to a smooth surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,579 Evans May 15, 1923 2,110,155 Ibendorif Mar. 8, 1938 2,118,384 Patten May 24, 1938 2,451,979 Rosenblum Oct. 19, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 175,683 Great Britain Feb. 15, 1922 343,742 Great Britain Feb. 26, 1931 

